A Winter Wonderland Wedding at Dalhousie Castle
What could be more magical that a winter wedding in the fairy-tale surrounds of a castle?
A celebration with friends and family cocooned inside the thick walls of an historic building, with flickering candlelight, rich tapestries and the possibility of a sprinkling of snow outside. It’s a picture of warmth. Grand, yet cosy.
But there are other, often taken for granted, advantages to marrying in the winter months.
- Cost
Many venues will offer special rates for winter weddings, saving you a sizeable chunk off your wedding budget. You may be in a position to invite more guests, take that longed-for honeymoon in a far-flung paradise or spend more on your suppliers. At Dalhousie Castle we offer a reduced venue hire charge in the winter months.
- Venue & supplier availability
There’s little more frustrating than finally finding your dream venue only to realise that it’s fully booked on your chosen date. The peak summer months are notoriously popular but if you’re looking to wed in winter you’ll more likely find plenty of venue options that work for you. The same too goes for your suppliers. Photographers, make-up artists, florists, DJs and bands often have more availability during the winter months so you’ll up your chances of snapping up your full ‘dream team’.
- Photography
Karol Makula Photography
The days are shorter and the vanishing winter light can be a challenge for external photography, but so long as you choose an experienced photographer you’ll be rewarded with timeless and flattering pictures in the more muted light. Candlelit venues make for cosy and atmospheric images, and black and white images can be stunning. You may also take advantage of the earlier darkness to capture a fun group sparkler shot without having to ask your photographer to stay late in the evening – and before your guests have really hit the alcohol!
- Honeymoon destinations
November to February offer some of the best choices for travel – whether you want a break in the snow or an exotic beach retreat outside of monsoon or hurricane season. A honeymoon during the northern hemisphere’s winter also is free from school holiday supplements (and, in turn, fewer screaming children!).
- The after party
JPR Shah Photography
The colder it is outside, the warmer the emotions. With darkness falling earlier, you’ll have an extended evening to party – perfect for a themed wedding, or a ceilidh. You may also like to add some fireworks for extra wow factor.
- Family travels
If you’re planning a big bash, you may find it hard to dovetail the diaries of your nearest and dearest in the summer months as friends and family head off on holiday (or to other weddings). Winter is a great time to get people together and December in particular is a popular time for families to share time together – so why not at your wedding?
- Theming
When it comes to styling a winter wedding, there’s a lot of fun to be had. Bring the outside in with pine cones, evergreens or ornamental trees festooned with fairy lights. Kit the bridal party out in faux fur, capes or feathers. Treat guests to boozy hot chocolate or mulled wine. The opportunities are endless and the atmosphere is full on ‘party’. Marry in December and you’ll add Christmas trees and decorations into the mix.
- The weather
As Brits, we know that when it comes to the weather there are no guarantees. A summer wedding always comes with the possibility of a deluge derailing your plans for al fresco canapes. Not so with a winter wedding where plans tend to be firmly focussed on the indoors and winter sunshine is merely a bonus.
For more information on our castle weddings and prices please contact Kym Mundy at weddings@dalhouisecastle.co.uk